Blood-soaked Innocence

Edmund returned the hug tightly, relieved that Jude was allowing himself at least this manner of comfort. The Ancient's heart cracked the longer his brother spoke. Each word, another splinter of grief and guilt. His thoughts raced before he came to a conclusion. "I have one last thing I need to do for my quest." He met his brother's eyes, Mother they were the same height now, "But now that you're bigger, do you want to come with me? I have to pool all of the blood I've been collecting to create a healing bath for Ancients. There will be a lot of blood involved, but you can come with me. And then we can go home together after." Edmund didn't want to force him, "Or you could just come to the Climb with me and wait while I do it. And then we could go home?" The Ancient didn't want to leave his brother, not again. Edmund Reborn In Fire